Courts of Contention: The Definitive History of Iconic NBA Rivalries

From the league's humble beginnings in 1946 to the modern era of three-point barrages and global superstars, Courts of Contention traces the epic battles that have defined basketball history. Through vivid narrative storytelling grounded entirely in fact, this book explores forty of the NBA's most legendary rivalries-from Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain and Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird to the contemporary showdowns of LeBron James vs. Stephen Curry and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury vs. Connecticut Sun. Each chapter immerses readers in the drama of playoff series, the clash of contrasting philosophies, and the personalities whose competitiveness transcended the court.

More than a chronology of wins and losses, Courts of Contention reveals how these rivalries shaped team identities, influenced rule changes, and sparked cultural movements both on and off the hardwood. Featuring exclusive appendices-complete head-to-head records, a detailed timeline, and profiles of fifty rivalry icons-this definitive volume offers fans, historians, and casual readers alike an indispensable reference and a gripping chronicle of basketball's fiercest competitions. Whether you bleed your team's colors or simply love the drama of sport at its finest, Courts of Contention brings every defining moment of NBA rivalry to life.